Trifter

Lavender Queen.

LAVENDER is a small shrub with aromatic grey-green leaves and small mauve or violet flowers growing on long stems that is native to the Mediterranean area. The harvesting of its flowers which retain their fragrance when dried and its oils which are used for perfumes has spread to more temperate climates. The flowers and stems are often placed in wardrobes and linen drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh. Yorkshire Lavender is Northern England’s premier lavender attraction and offers a great family day out near Castle Howard.

Yorkshire lavender Howardian Herbs and EJ’s Licensed Tea Rooms is at Terrington, 14 miles north east of York. It is a south facing farm in the Howardian Hills: an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with spectacular panoramic views over the Vale of York and beyond. It has frequently be featured on national TV and radio.

The maxim is Herbs for all reasons and herbs for all seasons. They have hundreds of varieties of lavender and other herbs for sale and expert advice can be obtained from their knowledgeable specialists

Visitors can enjoy a truly wonderful experience when they wander among the lavender beds with their stunning array of different colours ranging from white through pink, blue. lilac to the deepest purple with a spectrum of heady scents. As the poet, William Blair wrote. “Here grows lavender, here breathes England.”

There is the Lavender Maze, a sensory garden, themed herb gardens, Mediterranean dry garden, the White Rose of York, purple patch garden and the National Wildflower Grassland Meadow of about 2 acres to explore.

Visitors can wander through the parkland to watch the Highland cattle, fallow doe and pet lambs.

There are free daytime talks on the history and uses of lavender. Its essential oils are among the most commonly used in Aromatheraphy. Lavender is a natural antiseptic and can be rubbed onto the temples to relieve migraine. A few drops sprinkled over a pillow can induce sleep while a bunch of lavender hung in the kitchen will deter flies during the summer. Lavender is currently making its way onto the trendiest menus in the most suave restaurants.

Other herbs are not neglected at Yorkshire Lavender. They grow ginger, pineapple and chocolate mint among the more common spearmint and peppermint.

The pathways that run from the Visitor Centre to the plant salesroom have been designed to be as accessible to wheelchair users as possible and the site has full disabled facilities.

Yorkshire Lavender and Howardian Herbs has a gift shop that absolutely brims with both delightful and practical gifts. The more self-indulgent are able to buy treats for themselves. Wendy reigns over this realm and seeks out the best gifts possible. There are essential lavender sticks and sprays with fragrant lavender products. The shop also sells such lavender accessories as candles, pot-pourri and Yorkshire Lavender clothing. There is a massive selection of equipment and books for the gardening enthusiast and even for the armchair gardener.

After all this healthy open-air exercise, visitors can drop into EJ’s Licensed tea rooms. These are named after the owner’s daughter, Emma Jane, who is also the model for the farm’s Lavender Girl logo.

It serves morning and afternoon drinks, snacks and light lunches that have mostly been prepared from their own and other locally grown produce. Their freshly baked lavender scones, herby salads and locally made lavender ice creams are really popular. They keep developing new ideas and adding seasonal variations to the menu. All this and wonderful views down to York Minster on the skyline 14 miles away.

Their latest venture is the Lavender Food company, based on the success of their Yorkshire Lavender biscuits and conserves. The latest additions to this range are lavender sugar, honey, chocolate and now beer. They are all beautifully packaged to make ideal gifts and can be bought on mail order.

Opening times at Yorkshire Lavender are 10:00 to 17:00 for the farm, shop and visitor centre and 10:00 to 16:30 for EJ’s Licensed Tea Rooms seven days a week from March until October.

The centre is three miles to the west of Castle Howard and is well signposted by brown tourist signs.

More details can be obtained from 01653 648008 which is also the mail order line for Yorkshire Lavender